Psoriasis, Other Medical Conditions May Be Linked

WEDNESDAY, Aug. 7 (HealthDay News) -- People with the skin disease psoriasis may be at increased risk for other major health problems, according to a new study.

The link between psoriasis, which is characterized by irritated, red patches of skin, and other medical conditions has been unclear. In this study, published online Aug. 7 in the journal JAMA Dermatology, researchers analyzed data from more than 9,000 British psoriasis patients, aged 25 to 64. They compared them with more than 90,000 age-matched people without psoriasis.

Among the psoriasis patients, the disease was mild in nearly 52 percent, moderate in nearly 36 percent and severe in about 12 percent.

The risk of having these types of health problems increased with the severity of psoriasis, said Howa Yeung, of the University of Pennsylvania, and colleagues.

"Physicians should be aware of these associations in providing comprehensive care to patients with psoriasis, especially those presenting with more severe disease," Yeung and colleagues concluded in a journal news release.

Although the study found an association between having psoriasis and increased risk of other diseases, it did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship.